Bill.......that was a really good post you did. I have to sit later and reflect on everything you said.

You wrote also....."lately its been a burden to decide what to practice."

I can't believe you wrote that....that's exactly what I go through every day. Music goes in so many directions now you just don't know what to practice anymore. Not only the music, but things like which of your keyboards to use, do you just "read" theory and harmony books and no playing for the day, do you just play certain things to exercise your fingers, (in my case) do I study my jokes and patter material and no playing today, etc? Do I study my Classical numbers or the pop stuff? What about my "walking bass?" Don't forget to get that in after your Jerry Lee Lewis R&R runs.

And you know what.......I'm no better today than I was a month ago, or to say it another way, 60 hours ago of practicing. And, like you said, there's no extra income to show for it. It does make you wonder is it time to address the question "does the end product you're receiving match or exceed the effort you're putting into it?"